SpaceX test fire sparks wildfire near KSC, fire officials say

SpaceX: 'Successful hot fire test'

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. - Crews are working to contain a wildfire near the Kennedy Space Center that was caused by a static rocket test fire Sunday afternoon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials said.

The fire at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was reported shortly after SpaceX successfully completed a hot fire test for a mission scheduled Thursday.

Today, @SpaceX had a successful hot fire test in preparation for their Commercial Resupply mission to @Space_Station targeted for June 1.
— NASA Kennedy / KSC (@NASAKennedy) May 28, 2017

SpaceX tweeted about Sunday's test of the Falcon 9 rocket from KSC and shared the picture below.

Fire officials said the fire, named Red Ribbon Fire, was contained at four acres around Sunday evening on a small island near Pad 39A, which is the pad SpaceX plans to launch from Thursday. Helicopters were used to drop water on the fire.

The Red Ribbon Fire was showing less smoke after several bucket drops, firefighters said. Officials said they will continue to monitor the area Monday for flare ups.

No other details were available. Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates on this developing story.